SC wants all processions video taped

After videos showcasing vehicles being vandalised by Kanwariyas across northern states went viral on social media, the Supreme Court on Friday directed the police to take strict action against those responsible for the violence and breaching of laws.

A three-judge bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, and comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and DY Chandrachud, reiterated an earlier verdict, which stated that videography of every procession should be made.

The top court, while citing the 2009 judgement, also said that the organisers were responsible for any violence reported during the procession.

On Wednesday, a group of Kanwariyas, armed with iron rods and sticks, smashed a car in Delhi's Moti Nagar area after the driver allegedly tried to brush past one of them while moving on a busy road.

A similar incident also took place in Uttar Pradesh's Bulandshahr district on August 7, wherein Kanwariyas were filmed attacking a police SUV on a busy road, and

also got into an altercation with the locals.

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma assured that authorities will take necessar y action against those found guilty. "Those on spiritual pilgrimage are lost in the devotion of God, and can never be violent. But if some anti-social elements get involved then we will take strict action, no one will be spared irrespective of who he is," he told ANI.

The police on Friday arrested six Kanwariyas, including the main accused, Pappu, in connection with the Bulandshahr incident. Kanwariyas are the devotees of Hindu God Shiva and embark on a pilgrimage every year during the Hindu month of Saavan. Pilgrims can be seen carr ying heavy pots filled with Ganga water on their shoulders, which they empty at the temples of Lord Shiva.